Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (2024)

A simple delicious Borscht Recipe -ahealthy,vegetarian beet and cabbage soup that can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Warming and nourishing, Borscht is full of flavor andnutrients! Vegan-adaptable and gluten-free. Video

Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (1)

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.― Hal Borland

The color of this soup almost feels therapeutic during the winter months! Bright and vibrant and full of healthy fresh veggies, Borscht nourishes body and soul. This version made by my friend Tonia is vegan, except for a dollop of sour cream (or yogurt ) on the top, but feel free to leave it off entirely or sub vegan yogurt. I find the little extra richness to be lovely.

Earthy, tangy and subtly sweet from the beets, Borscht is elevated with a generous sprinkling of fresh dill. A whisper of Spring.

Make it quickly in your instant pot or simmer it slowly on your stove – either way it is sure to delight. A little bit of color therapy, just when we need it most!

Craving more Beet Recipes? Take a peek at our collection of 20+ Best Beet Recipes, for more ways to cook this nutritious little gem!

How to make Broscht| Video

Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (2)

Where does Borscht Originate?

Borscht hails from Eastern Europe – Russia and Ukraine – and is traditionally made with beef bone broth, giving it delicious depth to balance the tartness. If so inclined feel free to use bone broth- or keep it vegan with veggie broth– up to you!

Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (3)

The fresh really dill elevates the Borscht – so be sure to include this!

Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (4)

We hope you enjoy thissimple Borscht recipe – made with colorful beets, cabbage and fresh dill. Share your adaptions and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Other Beet recipes you may like

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Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (5)

Simple Borscht Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.8 from 58 reviews

  • Author: Tonia Schemmel
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: soup, vegan, instant pot, vegetarian, gluten-free
  • Method: Instant pot, stove top
  • Cuisine: Russian
Print Recipe

Description

A simple delicious recipe for Borscht, a healthy, vegan-adaptable beet and cabbage soup that can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stove top. Warming and nourishing, Borscht is full of flavor andnutrients!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 6 large garlic cloves, rough chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced or diced small
  • 1 extra large beet, thinly sliced, or small dice (approx. 2 cups)
  • 2 cups red cabbage, shredded or chopped
  • 1 cup beet stems and greens, chopped (optional or add another cup cabbage)
  • 4 cups veggie broth (or chicken stock or traditional beef stock)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (more to taste)
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

Garnish: dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt or vegan yogurt

Instructions

Set Instapot to “saute” function.

Add the olive oil (or butter) and diced onions and sauté 4-5 minutes stirring often making sure onions do not stick.Add the rest of the veggies; garlic, celery, carrots, beets, cabbage, beet stems and greens and stir to coat with onions and oil.

Add the broth and tomato paste, spices, salt and pepper. Give and stir and press “cancel” button.

Place the lid on pot and lock, making sure steam release is pointed to Sealing.Press High Pressure and set to 10 minutes.When time is up, allow to naturally release for 5 minutes then place kitchen towel over the pressure release button and turn to manually release.Once the float valve drops, open the lid.

Stir in the apple cider vinegar.Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

To serve, top with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt ( or vegan yogurt) and ample amounts of fresh dill.

Enjoy!!!

Notes

This can also be made on the stove top, in a similar fashion. Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the onions, stirring 4-5 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add garlic, saute 2 minutes, then add celery, carrots, beets, cabbage, beet greens, stirring to coat. Add broth and tomato paste. Add spices, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer on low heat 20 minutes or until beets and carrots are tender.

Continue with recipe above, adding vinegar, adjusting salt and pepper.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups -without sour cream
  • Calories: 106
  • Sugar: 7.6 g
  • Sodium: 491.4 mg
  • Fat: 5.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14.7 g
  • Fiber: 3.8 g
  • Protein: 2.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Simple Borscht Recipe (Instant Pot or Stove Top!) (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between beet soup and borscht? ›

The Polish word barszcz means borscht, but this soup is slightly different. Whereas traditional borscht is an opaque purple and commonly includes meat, tomatoes, and cabbage, barszcz is more of a basic beet broth that is somewhat translucent, whether red or white in color.

Why does borscht turn brown? ›

Oxidation: Beets can undergo oxidation when exposed to air, which may affect their color. If the beets were not fresh or if they were exposed to air for an extended period during preparation, this could contribute to the change in color.

Is borscht clear or thick? ›

Some recipes require flour or roux to further thicken the borscht. A common opinion is that a good borscht should be thick enough for a spoon to stand upright in it.

What is the flavor profile of borscht? ›

Borscht is a beet soup that's warm, sweet, and sour all in one bowl. It has the umami and complexity of a well-developed chicken soup but the beets add a whole different flavor profile.

What is the difference between Russian and Ukrainian borscht soup? ›

It's standard for Ukrainian cooks to use pork in their Borscht and top it off with sour cream, whereas Russian cooks are more likely to use beef. Furthermore, Ukrainians will offer buns with their bortsch, and Russians will offer a native bread known as “black bread.”

Should I peel beets for soup? ›

Sometimes beets are peeled before cooking. They may also be scrubbed and cooked until tender with their skins on; the skins slip off fairly easily after cooling. (Some people are happy to leave the skins on; they are fine to eat.) You can also pickle cooked beets.

Can you eat week old borscht? ›

I have kept borsch in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I think it tastes even better after a few days but without the cream. I never add cream or sour cream to my borsch, I only add it just before serving because it will sour if kept to long in the refrigerator and the potatoes will harden and sour also.

Does borscht taste better the next day? ›

Serve the borscht with plenty of chopped dill, some sour cream on the side, and some good-quality bread for dipping. The soup will taste even better the next day.

What is a good side dish for borscht? ›

You can serve borscht with sides like Pumpernickel or rye bread, garlic toast, meat, salads, dairy, pickled foods, pierogi, grains, potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs seasoned with paprika or dill, gluten-free options, and accompany it with fermented Slavic beverages and Santa Carolina ...

Do Jews eat borscht? ›

Versions that were popular with European Jews included cabbage-based borscht and beet-bashed borscht and milchig (dairy) and fleishig (meat) versions. Borscht can also be eaten hot or cold. It's become a beloved holiday meal in many Eastern European Jewish homes, eaten on Passover, Shavuot and Shabbat.

Do Russians like borscht? ›

“Because red borscht is both simple and nutritious, it came to be celebrated as the quintessential Soviet dish — so much so that it is even said to have been Leonid Brezhnev's favorite dish,” Lee wrote.

Is borscht healthy? ›

This soup from Eastern Europe is rich in essential nutrients that provide numerous benefits. Additionally, it's a low-calorie option that can be easily adapted to fit various dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. Is borscht healthy for you? Rest assured, it certainly is.

Does borscht contain tomatoes? ›

Borscht Ingredients

Vegetables: You'll need beets, carrots, baking potatoes, cabbage, and an onion. Canned tomatoes: Use drained diced tomatoes and canned tomato paste. Vegetable oil: Cook the onion in oil. Water: You'll need almost nine cups of water for this big-batch soup.

Why is my borscht not red? ›

How to get that vibrant red color? To avoid getting a pale borsch soup. Cooking the beets in water or stock for long may result in a brown soup, and since a good borsch needs to be red just add a little bit of sugar and lemon juice at the end of the cooking process and mix everything with a spoon.

Are there different types of borscht? ›

This Ukraine's rich cultural heritage is reflected in the different versions, such as white borscht vs red borscht, which are popular in different regions. In this article, we shall explore the differences between two popular types of borscht: white borscht and red borscht.

What is the name of the Russian soup made from beets? ›

Borscht is a classic beet soup that's so comforting and delicious. This recipe comes from my Ukrainian friend's mother, who taught me how to make it. This borscht recipe is delicious, nutritious, and full of flavor. Plus, its gorgeous red hue is absolutely stunning!

What is the name of the soup made from beets? ›

Borscht is a soup, usually made with beets, originating from Central and Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is especially popular in the cuisines of Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Latvia, and Ukraine.

How healthy is beet borscht? ›

Beets are also high in vitamins A, C and the minerals iron and magnesium. Looking at the amazing nutrients in this traditional soup, plus the tasty additions of fresh dill, parsley and sour cream, it's no wonder it serves as a staple.

What does beet soup taste like? ›

Beet soup isn't just delicious, it's also jam packed with nutrients. A mix of beets, parsnip, ginger, onion and garlic, this blended version is creamy, savory, and rich in flavor. Top it off with a swirl of coconut cream (or yogurt), parsley, and black sesame seeds.

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